News and views about the Structural Eurocodes

27 May 2011

Live blog from Ispra (Day 2)

[10.00] The meeting of TC250 has resumed, following a very splendid dinner last night provided by our hosts, JRC. Much good food, wine, and grappa was consumed!

We have now reached the presentions of sub-committee reports, starting with that from SC1 on actions. The main issue here appears to be the need to transfer information from the Annexes of EN 1991 (Eurocode 1, Actions) to EN 1990 (Basis of design).

[11.00] Discussion of Eurocode 2: SC2 intends to start a review of Eurocode 2 shortly, with work divided between 3 sub-groups.

[12.00] Discussion of Eurocode 3: SC3 has set up 16 'Evolution Groups' with over 140 experts involved, charged with maintenance and development of Eurocode 3.

[12.45] Discussion of Eurocode 7: I have just finished my presentation of the work of SC7, covering:

New version of Section 8 of EN 1997-1 on anchors

Response to Programming Mandate

SC7 Management Group

UK Symposium ‘Eurocode 7 – Today and Tomorrow’

26th Meeting of SC7 in Cambridge, UK

Establishing ‘Evolution Groups’ for future development

Future events

Questions were raised about whether SC7 should be considering extending its coverage to tunnelling. Since, in practice, engineers are already trying to use Eurocode 7 for tunnels, SC7’s proposed Evolution Group for this subject needs to consider the feasibility and desirability of such coverage. If the recommendation is to go ahead, then discussions will be needed at TC250 level regarding interactions with Eurocodes 1, 2, and 3.

[12.55] Discussion of new Eurocode 7 for fibre-reinforced structures.

[14.30] Presentation by Horizontal Group - Fire.

[15.10] Report on JRC's activities: a Workshop (with worked examples) on ‘Design of concrete buildings’ will behaled on 20-21 October 2011 in Brussels. The proceedings will be made available free of charge via JRC website and will cover design of foundations (session to be prepared by Roger Frank).

[16.00] Presentation on BSI’s ‘EC Project: Eurocodes promotional strategy’ highlights eastern Europe (Russia and Ukraine); India; and the Gulf Region as the most promising markets for the Eurocodes. In the Gulf, the current Saudi code (based on American codes) is being proposed as a regional code. BSI has drafted a new Wikipedia entry for the Eurocodes, which is more accurate and up to date.

[16.30] Presentation by Russian delegate on ‘Situation with Eurocodes implementation in Russia’. NOSTROY, the ‘National Association of Builders’, represents over 92 000 construction organizations. The Deputy Head of NOSTROY is also the Chair of TC 465 Construction. NOSTROY has developed a ‘Program on Eurocode implementation in Russia’, approved by Russian Ministry of Regional Development.

[17.00] Presentation by Ukrainian delegate on ‘The information on basis systematic provision of Eurocodes implementation in Ukraine’. Situation in Ukraine is similar to that in Russia. Ukraine is implementing many of the Eurocodes, first translating and then preparing National Annexes with NDPs. Because the technical content of the Eurocodes differs significantly from existing Ukrainian regulations, Ukraine wants assistance from the EU in this task and would like to have permanent representation on TC250.

[17.15] Presentation by South African delegate about the status and prospects for Eurocodes in South Africa. There are great opportunities to extend the Eurocodes both to SA and southern Africa in general. SA is not looking for promotion or training, but rather permanent technical interaction.